“If Ashley were a beverage, she’d be a bottle of vintage Champagne: bubbly and bright, simple on the surface but infinitely complex,” he said. “You would sip it slowly sitting on a porch on a Monday evening.”

If this makes Alan, 32, seem like a guy with perfectly smooth moves, think again. His courtship with Ashley Teplin, a graduate of culinary school and partner in Teplin+Nuss, a public relations firm representing Napa wineries, was really a tad less elegant.

The couple met in 2010 when Ashley, now 36, arranged an interview for Alan, also the founder of Mutineer Magazine, which covers the beverage industry, with one of her clients. She’d been single a year, was living in Napa, and was focused keenly on her career. But when Alan, then living in Calaveras County, showed up, she remembers being struck that he was like the guy in high school who was “cool, alternative and outgoing.”

“Most wine journalists aren’t cute young men,” she said. To snag him, she thought she’d wow him with her knowledge of Napa wineries. Little did she know he was a trained sommelier.

“When Ashley is nervous, she talks,” said Alan. “She just kept talking, giving me a lesson on Napa 101.”

Nothing came of that first meeting, but a few months later, Alan noticed Ashley on Facebook and pinged her. He had an invitation to a great party in Healdsburg — would she like to go? And, if not, maybe she knew another good-looking woman who could be his date?

It was an inelegant proposition to say the least. And though she said yes, Ashley soon realized she had another date the same night and canceled on Alan. He suggested brunch the next day. And to make sure he wasn’t late, he drove to Napa after that party and slept the rest of the night in his car. (He was still two hours late.)

“It was awkward,” said Ashley, who couldn’t tell if their connection was business or personal. “Alan looked like hell and wore sunglasses the whole meal.”

Weird as the “date” was, the two began talking on the phone. Over several conversations, Ashley discovered Alan’s sincerity and kindness; Alan was taken by Ashley’s positivity and pride in her work. After a few real dates, Alan was making the two-hours-plus drive to Napa every weekend. But throughout their early courtship, Ashley faced an emotional challenge; her mentor, notable PR maverick Pam Hunter, was very sick. Over those first months, it became clear that Alan, in some ways a vagabond and rolling stone, was truly, inside, a rock.

“For a guy who wrote like Hunter Thompson about booze and lived here, there and everywhere, Alan was caring, supportive and communicative,” Ashley said. Within months, Alan had made a move to Napa and “I love you” was spoken on both sides.

The couple now live in the Haight, although Ashley splits her time between San Francisco and Napa. When it came time to plan their wedding, Napa was their top — and only — pick. Close friends Steven and Claire Stull volunteered their private home as the venue, and the couple combined their culinary and beverage chops to curate an event that told the story of their courtship and relationship.

World-class wines were served that echoed those that the couple had consumed on their path to the altar; food was prepared by celebrated chef Todd Humphries of Kitchen Door, a venue the couple frequent often. “Wedding beverages are overlooked because of cost, but we were able to provide great pairings for reasonable prices,” said Alan. With spirits from Anchor Distilling, they made four signature cocktails served by Napa bartender Jason Withrow.

Throughout the party, the couple delivered handwritten letters to each guest telling their story and how those in their community had contributed to their lives. “It was Alan’s idea. He’s so thoughtful,” Ashley said. “Weddings are about your partner, but also include the friends who are going to be there for both of us for our life together.”

As for Ashley’s idea of a drink that her groom most resembles? A glass of Kabinett Riesling.

“Direct and sweet, with a good acid bite that pairs well with spicy food,” she said, “Alan is a perfect balance between sweet and warm, fiery and bright.”